When I was a child I knew for a fact, magic was 100% real. Nature and my imagination were the largest vessels sharing that with me. Finding bunnies snacking on clover patches, catching crayfish in a stream lined with shimmering stones, or discovering wild blueberries growing alongside a creek. Mother nature has a way of taking your breath away with the simplest things.

I loved going on adventures in the forest. One of my favourite discoveries was a small teepee made of long branches. Deep in the woods with a brass door knocker fashioned to the front, I wondered, “Who built this place?Was it another young person? Was it a witch who cast a spell and if you tapped the knocker in a certain way, a door would swing open and inside would reveal a full sized cottage?". One day I returned and there was an empty can of beans beside the teepee. I decided maybe some runaway kids were staying there while on an adventure train hopping around the country.

When I told my aunt about the mysterious bean can she said, “Sounds like a homeless man to me".

“What about some kids who've run away and are having a wild adventure?! Like in Stand By Me?! Don't you think that could be it too?!" I suggested with desperation.

“Well... I mean, you never f*#king know Megan." She kept the story alive and I appreciated it.

My aunt Kathleen always held space for my dreams and ideas no matter how absurd and I loved her for it. She lived with us for six years and is only 12 years my senior so we were close. She swore like a sailor, taught me how to burp loudly and insert a tampon (not at the same time). She also had a very magical room. Candles of all sizes, a variety of skulls, and drawings of sexy lady-demons and horses she would show me from her sketchbooks. She always had nice smelling soaps from Lush, incense sticks and essential oils which included vanilla and sandalwood. She is and was, a very cool and unique human, but particularly influential during that time in my life.

We would go for drives in the countryside to a greenhouse that sold herbs and flowers all year round. It had rooms upon rooms of plants and ten varieties of mint. I'd be like, “WHOA PINEAPPLE MINT?!?!". She'd pick a tiny leaf off, rub it through her fingers to release the smell, and eat it like it was no big deal, “Yep. That's pineapple mint". Then I'd do the same, feeling so badass that I just got a whole mint leaf for free and ate it without washing it. During summer thunderstorms we would get in her car and go storm chasing. We would follow rainstorms along country roads with large corn fields on either side. We would scream profanities when a crack of thunder and lightning boomed down from eerie green skies. We would race the car out of the storm, then slow down to witness the sheet of rain begin to pound down from the back of the car to the front, like a wall enveloping us. It felt as though we were friends with the storm. We knew how to play with it.

I think without her, my sense of magic might have been lost but she was there to unknowingly show me how different we all are and that it's important to be yourself and own it. Because what else is there besides being you in your own life? And what is life without any magic?

How do we infuse more magic into our lives? How can we live with a sense of curiosity and lightheartedness? Taking life less seriously, with more fun and excitement. This is different for everyone. These are some things that remind me we are living in a world full of mysteries to unravel.

Exploring in nature – the night sky, a dense forest, a clear lake, rolling hillsides, dirt pathes, fields of dandelions, the swelling ocean, snow capped mountains, a dusty desert, lush swamplands. Mother Nature is the ultimate magic because she is everything and everything has come from her.

Creating recipes + herbal concoctions in the kitchen.

Following moon + planetary phases.

Going on adventures – this can be as simple as taking a walk in the park. But more magic ensues once I've decided that it is now an adventure and I'm open to anything that may happen. There's a surrender with an adventure because it implies there is little human control over it and that life is taking you somewhere unknown. Letting go allows more adventures.

Art – fyi, art does not have to be good. I make a lot of bad art. But it feels so good to get your hands moving and dirty. And remember, you can always call it “abstract". Painting, drawing, molding clay, taking photos, random crafts or making a beautiful meal can all be creative and remove you from time and space if you let them.

Listening + talking to plants. They are alive. Everything is alive.

Play like a child – climb things, chase each other, make weird movements, dance, go on the swings. Whatever used to be fun often still is.

Connect with others about mystery, synchronicities, the universe or any other juicy thought.

Reading – stories are something old and treasured. Fantasy novels, folklore, inspiring biographies, heart breaking fiction, or coming of age tales. It's all so good.

Learning – we are at a time in history where learning is the most accessible it's ever been. We can pick and choose exactly what we want to focus on, learn it well and often for free. This is a very special thing.

Travel – every trip I've been on brings so much magic moment-to-moment and I come back with reflections and spaces in my heart filled with new experiences.

Daydreaming – get up in those clouds ya'll.

Appreciation for things/people/places/myself on a daily basis.

Embracing rituals – an evening tea, dream recording, journaling, tarot cards, yoga, a hot bath, lighting a candle, diffusing oils or anything else that appeals to you. Rituals feel sensual when you choose them solely to be present and honour yourself. You can also track your feelings and body/mind/spiritual changes with rituals.

Cannabis – One of my favourite plants of all. A provider of new perspectives, relaxation + sleep aid, pain reliever, mood elevator, and stress reducer among many others. I cannot say enough good things about her. She is a magical plant that has helped me become a more calm, accepting, and loving person.

Psilocybin – Humans have been using mushrooms for thousands of years as a spiritual aid. It is now being tested as an effective treatment for depression, ptsd and other conditions. Feeling safe and comfortable in your surroundings is important when using any mind altering plants. Remember to check in with yourself first.

This spray is a soothing and uplifting smell that feels extra special (and pretty!) with the addition of crystals. It doesn't matter if you do or don't believe in the energy of gemstones and essential oils. Sometimes people can become fixated on the new agey-ness of things like this and they'll be all, “So do you believe in that? Do you think crystals really heal people?". Depending on who I'm talking to my response is usually, “it doesn't matter either way. I just enjoy it and think it's fun." Our culture focuses so heavily on what is “real" and what is “not real", leaving little room for the unseen, the mystical, and the miraculous. Every person is living in their own reality so what is real to one person isn't real to another. It's all subjective and changes with whatever we place our attention on.

If I focus on the things in my life that I am grateful for, then abundance is my reality in that moment. If I then focus on the things that I want and don't yet have, lack is my reality. Two side-by-side moments with two completely opposite realities. In the end, whatever feels good for you and lights you up is your magic in that moment.

Clarity Mood + Body Mist

I find that clarity is often preceded by confusion and disarray. Maybe chaos helps us to become more laser focused on what we want, who we are, or what we're moving towards. I've made this mist to help reawaken your senses and melt into the soft places of your mind where I find clarity emerges from. This mist can be used on your body, face, hair, furniture, blankets, in a ritual or as an air freshener. Uplifting and cleansing essential oils are incorporated to help lift your mood and spirits.

*make sure to choose gems that are safe for water use. Some can be toxic (here is a list of toxic crystals unsafe for water/sprays/consumption) or they may dissolve if too soft on the mohs scale. It is suggested that crystals with a mohs hardness level of 5 or less is too soft for water solutions. Search your gem here at gemdat.org for all the info.

ingredients:

method:

To infuse crystals: rinse them under cool water for a couple minutes. Place gems into glass spray bottle (or glass bowl). Add distilled water until 3/4 full. Place in direct sunlight in the early morning and leave for a few hours or until sunset. Alternatively you can place the crystals in moonlight while you sleep.

Add witch hazel, essential oils, and any other additions you like. Shake vigorously. Add intention or feeling into the mist while mixing if desired. Spray on body, face or hair to invigorate or life your mood.